Salem, Krishnagiri etc..an introduction

Big things in small packages. Aptly defines the places in Tamil Nadu. Some of the most rural and powerty struck areas in India but the hearts are in the right places. The only problem for any person (even an Indian) will be the language since only Tamil is understood. One will be surprised to see people talking in even telegu (forget english or hindi).

Salem as a town is the third largest town in TN. Small hotels and lodges are present in plenty specially near the railway station and the bus stand (did I have to say that). I stayed at Hotel City View near the bus stand which was a decent place with decent service levels. Dont expect a 5 star experience but a modest person will not go disheartened. Salem has one multiplex (ARRS) which is a 15 minutes walk from City View and shows hindi and english movies as well (sometimes). In case you go, make sure that the movie is in hindi/english and not a dubbed one.

Food is present in Saravana chain of hotels...classic, regular and one more....all vegetarian only but the food is good. Another good thing to have (only in case you are not a hygeine freak) is the fish fry that one gets on the roadside. One can come across a couple of these while walking towards ARRS from City View. One plate costs Rs.10 and consists of a whole fish steaming hot and spicy.....one catch: you will have to eat it from a paper plate using your hands. By the way, since I am at it...do NOT expect to be given spoons in any place in TN. In case you ask, you might get one (or even 2) in some places but the concept of spoons is a very unknown entity here. Their are a couple of kabab corners as well as a pub but I really have doubts about the food that they serve.

A classic food (apart from the many varieties of dosas and idlis and vadas and rices and uthappams) is "kuli panyaram". This snack is made on charcoal on roadsides in a lot of villages. I have put some pics of it being made by an old lady who actually posed for the camera. And when I showed her the picture, the only thing that bothered her were her hair which she said "looked like a cap"! I will suggest kuli panyaram to be a must-have for anyone planning to go to these parts of India.

Best way to travel will be to get your own taxi. Try to search for a guy who speaks your local language as well as Tamil (I am sure that is going to be a tough task...but still...in case of adventure one can always try this one!). Another way and the one I used were the buses. With DVD's which always managed to show the same Tamil movie at a hitherdo unknown volume, and at speeds which Michael Schumacher would have been proud of in his hay days, on roads which can be used by the Indian Army to test their latest tanks for toughness, these are bad experience for the physical body but once accomplished, one actually has a sense of having done something worthwhile. Try it.

Lots of other things to say...next post...people's ways of living.

Regards,

Nishant (Falcon)